Jan 06, 2006

But I no longer doubt that incredible things can be done with that
unused 90 percent of my implant’s hardware capacity. Tests
conducted a month after my visit to Advanced Bionics show that
my ability to discriminate among notes has improved considerably.
With Hi-Res, I was able to identify notes only when they were at
least 70 hertz apart. Now, I can hear notes that are only 30 hertz
apart. It’s like going from being able to tell the difference between
red and blue to being able to distinguish between aquamarine and cobalt.

My hearing is no longer limited by the physical circumstances of my
body. While my friends’ ears will inevitably decline with age,
mine will only get better.

Here’s an article
that gives a (lay) description at some of the
engineering that goes into making cars quieter:

We’re not talking about installing a new audio system
and locating and sizing the speakers for maximum
effectiveness and accuracy. We’re talking about working
with the vehicle itself and its components to ensure the sounds
the occupants can hear are not only minimal but pleasant.

…

Lead acoustical engineer George Bei says it is
one thing to reach numerical acoustic targets and quite
another to ensure the quality of those sounds is pleasant.
His team measured and tuned everything from the power
train and body structure to the sound emitted when the
glove box door is closed.